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I know the link didn't work last time, so here's a photo of Annie's outfit (just remove the spaces!): h t t p : / / f o t o s . f o t o f l e x e r . c o m / c 2 1 a 9 6 7 c 2 3 f f d e e 9 5 7 2 7 b 1 5 b b 0 7 2 4 4 e 3 . j p g

I was blown away.
What could I say?
It all seemed to make sense.
You've taken away everything,
And I can't deal with that.
I try to see the good in life,
But good things in life are hard to find.

It's Not Over; Daughtry

ANNIE'S POV

"Okay," he breathed. "Now."

The second the word left his lips, my eyes flew open to take in whatever lay before me.

After one look my breath escaped, and I took a step back to distance myself from the alien creature that was certainly not me.

It wasn't...Was it?

The girl - no, woman - before me was everything I was not. She was dangerous, lethal, foreign and sexy. I was certainly none of those. I was innocent, sweet and familiar. I was approachable. This woman, this fish-human hybrid, was everything but. With the angular makeup and pointed headpiece, the face of this crossbreed was both seductive and otherworldly. I couldn't make sense of it. Surely the svelte, shimmering body didn't belong to me!

But when I moved, she moved. When I twitched, so did she. And finally, when I began to turn to Leif to question my existence, she did too.

"I know, it's not very you." He added quickly, hands on my shoulders to convince me of the mirage. "But that's the whole point!"

My eyebrows furrowed. "I'm sorry Leif, I don't get it. It's not that this isn't amazing, but -"

"Think of it this way," He placed a cool hand on my lower back and began to steer me out the room. "I know who you are, Annie. And I know you don't think of yourself as anything this outfit represents - but the Capitol doesn't know that. Panem doesn't know that. And they don't have to! You are going to show them the whole package, starting with tonight. Tonight, you are dangerous and sexy. At the interview, you are sweet and innocent. In the Games - well, that's up to you. But until then, the world is going to see that you are everything they're looking for. Even if that means we have to fake it!"

His excited soliloquy ended with a flourish of his hands when we pushed through sliding metallic doors into a unusually busy room. It was all I could do to process what he was saying as I surveyed my surroundings. There were people everywhere, swarming like flies. Tributes and stylists crammed into groups, whispering madly and straightening out glittering skirts and tunics.

The faces of almost everyone in the entire room jerked to us as we entered. Somehow I got the impression we were late.

Several gaped. Stylists' faces grew cold and sickly, tributes clammed up and visibly flew into a huff. Somehow observed me with silent eyes, but most visibly ruffled at my appearance.

My cheeks felt as if they were going to burst into flames I was blushing so intensely.

"They're jealous," Leif whispered excitedly. "Annie, we've done it!"

"You've done it, Leif." I smiled softly.

His eyes looked dewy for a moment, and I couldn't quite decipher why. "Thank-you, sweetheart. Now unfortunately we've got to get you onto the damned chariot."

It was easy to spot this year's D4 chariot among the other Districts'. For one, it was shaped like a giant seashell, shining white with seaweed tangled around it, and two, there was a boy in a getup almost identical to mine already in it.

Amphitrite turned as we approached, evidently hearing my heels clack against the floor. His eyes widened when he caught site of me.

"A-Annie? You, look, um... wow." He swallowed hard. "Different." I could only laugh at his stunned expression as he stood there, extending his hand shakily to help me into the chariot.

"You're going to catch some mighty big crab in that trap of yours," I tapped at his chin in jest, and he promptly shut his mouth, blushing.

Before he could respond, giant doors in front of us creaked open, and the roar of an obnoxious audience startled us both into silence. The wheels of District 1's chariot began to creak as they peeled out into the circular stadium.

My mouth was suddenly very dry, my heart thumped in my chest.

"Did Finnick say anything to you about how we should act?" Amphitrite turned to me, having to yell in my ear of the noise of the crowd.

"I don't think so," I frantically searched my mind for anything, but I knew he hadn't. "Did Mags?" I knew my eyes were wild with concern and fright when I turned to him, and he squeezed my upper arm in reassurance.

"Yeah," He was full-on shouting by now, as the horses were drawing us closer to the door. "Interact and seem confident. But as if we're above it all." His blue eyes met mine, and I nodded in understanding.

District 3 was already out the door. There was no one between us and the crowd now. Everything seemed to hush before we entered, either because D3 had bored them or they were already running out of energy. And dear Poseidon did I hope it wasn't the latter.

The world exploded as we drew into the lights of the stadium. The noises and lights amplified tenfold, leaving Amphitrite and I almost immediately blind and deaf. But we both knew what it meant. They liked us.

Wherever we went, the camera followed, every gesture and wave from us elicited both sighs and hoots of pleasure respectively.

As I turned to blow a kiss at a nearby group, I could see a pod of seriously inebriated men shouting and gesturing to each other, all eyes glazed over while looking at my body.

I was so close to leaning over the side of the chariot and letting the contents of my stomach spill onto the sand. Looking around, I noticed almost all the men doing the same thing. I squeezed my eyes shut momentarily, hoping to block their images out.

Sea green eyes rose to my blank mind without summon, and the lids flew off my own orbs as they did.

Where was Finnick? Was he doing what all these miscreants were?

I doubted it. Despite his reputation for flirtation I just couldn't picture the svelte man doing something so degrading.

I continued waving and smiling to the crowd, but allowed my thoughts to wander freely as we continued the circle.

Immediately my mind went to the moment I had seen him coming out of Stark's door. Even before I had acknowledged it I knew where he had been - I just hadn't wanted to believe it.

Why had he been with her? Where they together? We had all seen the look she gave him at dinner... Maybe they were in a relationship.

Somehow this last thought was like acid on my tongue, and I jerked away from it in reflex. But despite my instinct, the parasitic idea clung to me.

Why would he do that? Why? My body began to go red hot, and it wasn't from the heat of the spotlight.

Calm down Annie, I told myself. You don't know anything.

I couldn't help but think I already knew too much.

FINNICK'S POV

My eyes were immediately drawn to the shimmering green-and-blue figures in the middle of the room. Despite the mass of highly decorated tributes surrounding them, they literally seemed like the only two fish in the sea.

"There they are," I turned to Mags and pointed my finger.

She squinted slightly before nodding and continuing in the room, and I was quick to overtake her.

"Annie!" I called out, the name leaving my throat more urgently then I had hoped.

She turned to me, eyes flashing several sets of emotion before settling on relief.

"Oh, hey Finnick!" She grinned, bounding towards me. "So it was good, right? They liked us?"

"They loved you," I smiled. "Especially you." I glanced up and down, surveying her once more. Yes, they certainly had loved her.

She blushed and looked down. "Well that's, ah, good I suppose." She laughed nervously before turning her eyes to me conspiratorially.

"I think I looked a little bit ridiculous, but don't tell Leif that. A bit like a fish out of water." Her eyes sparkled as she allowed the pun to slide out of her glistening lips.

My shoulders shook as I chuckled, looking at the floor. "No, but uh, you looked good Annie. Really good." I turned my face back up to her and smiled slightly, my palms sweating.

Why can't I say that to her without getting nervous? It must be because she's a tribute.

She blushed and bit her lip, looking at her feet, now devoid of their high-heeled prison.

"Thanks." Her response was simple and quiet, but it pleased me to hear her accept my compliment.

"You're welcome." My mouth went to smirk, but before it could it turned upwards into a genuine smile.

She reacts better that way, I told myself.

Her face turned upwards to meet mine, and she flashed her perfect teeth at me once again.

Well, I suppose she's got a nice smile.

I opened my mouth to ask her if I could escort her to her new room when Caesar Flickerman's well-known voice began to echo throughout the room.

"Congratulations tributes,"

Everyone looked up in surprise, trying to find the source of the floating voice.

"You were all such a hit, and everyone looked so very lovely! Of course, I can't wait to interview you all! However, that's not what this announcement is about."

Annie and I exchanged puzzled looks.

"Since we have so many wonderfully attractive tributes this year, President Snow has come up with a brilliant idea - "

Snow? A brilliant idea? I nearly snorted. He can't even announce it himself, how brilliant could it be?

"Along with the normal pre-Hunger Games interview this year, there will be a dance of sorts. A pageant, if you will. However, because this pageant will be extra time, possibly interfering with training, it is optional."

Caesar's tone was heavy as he ended his sentence.

"But this is an opportunity for each and every one of you to display yourself for the best. While it is up to you to decide whether or not you will participate, do remember there will be plenty of possible sponsors at the event. All those interested will receive further instruction after the first training session. Well, I simply cannot wait to meet you all, and may the odds ever be in your favour! See you all soon!"

With that, Caesar's voice flicked off and we were all left in confusion.

"What do you think, Finnick?" Annie's voice drew me out of my thoughts as she eyed me, her tone innocent.

What did I think? If Snow was behind it, I was bound to hate it.

Ohhh, a dance? Whatever could that mean? SORRY it took so long to update, my internet is just horrible right now! Hope you all enjoyed it!

Thanks SO MUCH to everyone who has reviewed - YOU ARE THE REASON I'M STILL WRITING! Please leave a review or comment on what you're liking so far! They're so much appreciated!